Remember the nude beach? It's been 20 years since Santa Rosa lowered the boom

Daily News

By JENNIE MCKEON / Daily News

Published: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 04:31 PM.

Navarre’s unofficial nude beach recently reached an anniversary.

It’s been 20 years since Santa Rosa County officials passed an ordinance outlawing nudity on public beaches. Their target was a secluded section at the east end of Navarre Beach.

"Before 2003 to 2004, there were never any facilities there," said Mike Spaits, a Navarre resident for more than 20 years. "It was just open beach. It was never an official nude beach — just one of those things known throughout the area."

The designated location is at the east end of Navarre Beach bordering Eglin Air Force Base Reserve, about a mile away from the beach parking lot.
It had been a nude sunbathing spot since the 1960s and had attracted up to 200 people daily.

"It was a long way to walk just to take your clothes off," said Spaits. "It was very rare that an unsuspecting person would come across the nude beach."

Because of its remote location, many Navarre residents were not concerned with the nude beach dwellers.

"They weren’t necessarily the young and fit. It was nothing to see," Spaits said with a laugh. "Most of the nude beachgoers were more naturalists versus exhibitionists.

“They didn’t bother me,” he added.

Santa Rosa County officials outlawed the practice of nude sunbathing in 1994 with a county ordinance.

But according to news reports, enforcement efforts really stepped up in the late 1990s.

Beachgoers caught nude were ticketed or hauled to county jail in East Milton where they had to post a $100 bond. Maximum penalty is a $500 fine and 60 days in jail.

Today, the beach is less frequented.

Deputy Richard Aloy said it’s been several years since the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office has had to respond to a nudist complaint.

"For several years, we staffed the beach during the summer months with dedicated deputies on ATV’s," he said. "But, as far as a nude beach area, those days may be long behind us.

“We’re aware that there is activity, but it is very minimal."

Navarre Beach still ranks in lists of nude beaches in Florida, although some warn to be prepared to cover up for law enforcement.

It’s been 20 years since Santa Rosa County officials passed an ordinance outlawing nudity on public beaches. Their target was a secluded section at the east end of Navarre Beach.

"Before 2003 to 2004, there were never any facilities there," said Mike Spaits, a Navarre resident for more than 20 years. "It was just open beach. It was never an official nude beach — just one of those things known throughout the area."

The designated location is at the east end of Navarre Beach bordering Eglin Air Force Base Reserve, about a mile away from the beach parking lot.
It had been a nude sunbathing spot since the 1960s and had attracted up to 200 people daily.

"It was a long way to walk just to take your clothes off," said Spaits. "It was very rare that an unsuspecting person would come across the nude beach."

Because of its remote location, many Navarre residents were not concerned with the nude beach dwellers.

"They weren’t necessarily the young and fit. It was nothing to see," Spaits said with a laugh. "Most of the nude beachgoers were more naturalists versus exhibitionists.

“They didn’t bother me,” he added.

Santa Rosa County officials outlawed the practice of nude sunbathing in 1994 with a county ordinance.

But according to news reports, enforcement efforts really stepped up in the late 1990s.

Beachgoers caught nude were ticketed or hauled to county jail in East Milton where they had to post a $100 bond. Maximum penalty is a $500 fine and 60 days in jail.

Today, the beach is less frequented.

Deputy Richard Aloy said it’s been several years since the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office has had to respond to a nudist complaint.

"For several years, we staffed the beach during the summer months with dedicated deputies on ATV’s," he said. "But, as far as a nude beach area, those days may be long behind us.

“We’re aware that there is activity, but it is very minimal."

Navarre Beach still ranks in lists of nude beaches in Florida, although some warn to be prepared to cover up for law enforcement.